Advocating for a profession whose time has come

A year ago almost to the day, and in a different world, this picture was taken of me presenting an update on the career development sector in Wales at the Career Development Institute conference in Leeds.

Today, I had the honour of joining the board of the CDI at the AGM, having been chosen by the members as their UK wide President-Elect, an honour I never imagined a year ago, but welcome with open arms and gratitude to Laura Bell, Ciara Bomford, Janet Colledge, Liane Hambley and Chris Webb for nominating me, and thanks to other supporters who encouraged me including Lis McGuire and Stacey Drake.

Given the current pandemic and the challenges it brings to many areas of life, and the economy and world of work in particular, never has there been a more important time or need for top quality, timely, and up to date career development education, information, advice, and guidance, to be delivered by highly trained and experienced professionals.

Whether supporting young people who are lost or whose career plans are under significant threat, or helping older workers to regroup and move into new work after feeling the chill wind of recession and unemployment, or a sense of wanting to change direction into more meaningful work, our members have continued to do just that – to help clients find their direction and goals and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve them.

I am hugely grateful to CDI members for their trust and am honoured to be working alongside Dave Cordle, the current President-Elect, fellow board members, and Jan Ellis, the CDI’s tireless and hard-working Chief Executive to ensure that our voice as a profession is heard.

Our members make an immense, yet often unsung, contribution to the lives of millions.

It is more vital than ever that this work is recognised and individuals, regardless of who they are, where they come from, what their profile is, or who they know, can access that support easily.

I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of advocating for and serving a profession I care deeply about, whose work is vital and whose time has come.